Stackable board platform for marine vessel

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a stackable platform for a boat deck which can be placed between a helm of a boat deck and a seat on a boat deck. The platform is for allowing a user to stand on the platform. There is an optional shock absorbing element coupled to the platform as well. There is a base, a platform that can be attached to the base and an optional additional platform such as an intermediate platform.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part application and hereby claimspriority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/907,332 filed on Dec.14, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a stackable support platform disposedon a boat deck.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system for supporting a user over a basefloor of a boat deck comprising at least one base platform optionallysecured the base floor. There is at least one additional platformwherein this platform can be stacked on top of the base platform. Thisadditional platform can comprise the following elements: a flexibleelastic shock absorbing element which may be in the form of any shockabsorbing material such as rubber; and a substantially rigid housingdisposed around the flexible element. This substantially rigid housingmay be in the form of any substantially rigid material and may forexample be a polyurethane foam or a blow molded plastic. At least aportion of the shock absorbing element can fit inside of thissubstantially rigid housing in a recessed region. There is also anadditional layer of rigid material which is secured to this shockabsorbing element in the form of a flexible layer. This additional layerof rigid material may also be in the form of rigid foam. In this casethe flexible shock absorbing layer supports the rigid housing above therigid foam layer.

A top surface of the substantially rigid housing may be in the form of anon-skid surface.

This system can also be used to adjust the level at which a personstands on a base floor such as a deck of a boat. Therefore, this systemcan further comprise at least one intermediate stacking element forstacking on top of the base platform. Additional intermediate stackingplatforms can be used to stack this standing platform as high as a userwould want.

To secure the base layer to the base floor there can be at least onebase bracket that is fastened to the base floor for allowing the baselayer having a flange region to fasten to the floor.

For example, the base bracket is in the form of a bracket that has atleast one flange, wherein the base platform contains a flange which canmate with a flange region on the metal bracket so that the base platformcan be secured to the base.

There can also be a strap for securing the additional platform onto thebase platform, wherein this strap is securely wrapped around theadditional platform and the base platform.

The additional layer can also include an additional substantially rigidlayer which is coupled to the flexible shock absorbing layer oppositethe housing. This flexible shock absorbing layer may extend out from thehousing a sufficient distance to space a bottom surface of the rigidhousing from the oppositely spaced substantially rigid layer.

The base platform can have at least one recessed region, and theadditional platform can have at least one plug extending out from theadditional platform, wherein the plug and the recessed region form atongue and groove connection, wherein the extending section of this plugcan extend into the recessed region the base platform. The optional plugcan also optionally contain a rib extending around the plug. The rib canbe in the form of a rigid material or in the form of a rubber gasket.

The base platform can have on one face a recessed region for receiving ahook and loop fastener which can be used to secure the base platform tothe base floor. The hook and loop fastener can be in the form of twostrips with one strip comprising hooks on one side and an adhesive on anopposite side and another strip comprising loops on one side and anadhesive on another side wherein one of the strips is fastened to thebase platform and the other strip is fastened to the base floor, suchthat the base platform can be selectively secured to the base floorusing this fastener. This fastener is recessed inside of the baseplatform so that this base platform maintains its stable foundation andcontacts the base floor with a substantially larger surface area of thebottom surface of the base platform. Otherwise, the strips of the hookand loop fastener would elevate this base platform off of the base floorcreating an unstable platform.

One of the benefits of this system is that it is designed to be easilysecurable to a base floor such as a motorboat deck. With the hook andloop fastening system, this device can also be easily removed and storedaway so that it does not interfere with a persons movement across adeck.

This system also has the advantage of being stackable with intermediatelevels being stacked one on top of the other to elevate the top platformabove the base platform to a particular height. This feature isbeneficial because if a first user is very tall that user would not needso many intermediate stackable levels. However if another user was notas tall and wanted to have increased visibility above a console and/orsteering wheel, that user could simply stack each level, first on thebase layer, one on top of the other to the desired height.

Another beneficial feature of this invention is that the flexible shockabsorbing layer in the additional layer provides absorbs some of theenergy of any dramatic movements from a motorboat such as bouncing upand down in choppy seas while at moderate to high speeds. During theseperiods of shocks, the rigid outer housing would compress down on top ofthe oppositely spaced rigid layer such that the intermediate flexiblelayer would absorb much of the energy of the shock. When these dramaticstresses are removed from this component then the housing would beelevated back up above the bottom rigid layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that thedrawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as adefinition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similarelements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a first implementation of the device on amotorboat;

FIG. 2A is a side view of FIG. 1 showing the implementation of thisdevice;

FIG. 2B is an alternative embodiment of the design shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a top view of a bottom or base layer or board of the device;

FIG. 3B is a front view of the bottom layer shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a side view of the bottom layer shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a top view of a middle board or middle layer;

FIG. 4B is a front side view of the middle board shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a side view of the middle board shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a top view of the top board or top layer;

FIG. 5B is a front view of the top board shown in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a side view of the side board rotated 90 degrees;

FIG. 6 is a front side view of a first assembly of the device;

FIG. 7A is a side view of the second assembly of the device;

FIG. 7B is a front view of the second assembly of the device; and

FIG. 8A is a top view of another embodiment of a top board;

FIG. 8B is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is a front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8A; and

FIG. 9 is a side cross sectional view of another embodiment of theconnecting elements for the invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of another embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10;and

FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a top view of a firstimplementation of the device 10 on a motorboat 12. In this case, thistype of a multi-layer shock absorbing platform may be placed or mountedon any surface such as a boat deck. With the example shown in FIGS. 1and 2 this multi-layer shock absorbing platform is disposed between aseat 14 and a console unit 16 on motorboat 12.

FIG. 2A is a side view of FIG. 1 showing the implementation of thisdevice such that as this device is mounted it can be stacked higher andhigher to allow a user to see over a console unit. This device may bemade for example in many different layers such as a bottom layer 20, amiddle or elevating layer 30 and a top layer 40. These boards or layers20, 30 and 40 can be stored on a side portion of a boat or as shown inFIG. 2B pulled out from a compartment 15 underneath seat 14. If theboards are pulled out, they can be slid on adjustable tracks 17 a, 17 b,17 c, each having a respective slider 18 a, 18 b, 18 c allowing asliding hinge to slide therein, wherein each track is connected tocompartment 15 at one end via a hinge and at an opposite end to eachboard via sliding hinges 19 a, 19 b, 19 c respectively to allow theheight of each board to be adjusted.

FIG. 3A is a top view of a bottom or base layer or board 20 of device10. This bottom board can be substantially rectangular in shape and canbe made from any type of substantially rigid material such as a plasticor polyurethane foam. In this case, the bottom board 20 includes aplurality of recesses and or holes disposed therein. This set ofrecesses includes a first and a second recess 22 and 24 respectively forreceiving a fastening system such as strips relating to a hook and loopfastener. These two recesses 22 and 24 can be substantiallyrectangularly shaped and are spaced apart from each other in a parallelmanner and are disposed adjacent to side edges of board 20. There isalso a central cut out 26 which can be substantially rectangularlyshaped and which is positioned in a center region of the board. Thereare also four optional screw holes 28 including holes 28 a, 28 b, 28 c,28 d, disposed in corner regions of board 20.

FIG. 3B is a front view of the bottom layer shown in FIG. 3A, wherein inthis view, recessed regions 22, and 24 are shown as recessed only aportion of a distance into board 20. In addition, screw holes 28 includea recessed or sunken region 29 a and a drill hole 29 b to receive both ascrew head and a screw shaft.

FIG. 3C is a side view of the bottom layer shown in FIG. 3A wherein thisview is a view of board 20 rotated approximately 90 degrees. This viewshows that central hole or cut out 26 extends entirely through board 20.In addition there are also additional recesses 27 which can be used toreceive a cleat mounted on a deck so that this board can be easilymounted on a deck.

FIG. 4A is a top view of a middle board or middle layer 30 wherein thismiddle board is in the form of a substantially rectangular board havingan inner plug 34 that is also substantially rectangular extending down.Inner plug 34 can essentially be formed from a substantially rectangularcut out 36 of board 30, wherein this plug can be cut out and then sliddown as shown in FIG. 4B and then reattached in its displaced position.This inner plug 34 can also include a rib 35 extending around the plug,wherein this rib 35 is disposed substantially adjacent to a bottom edgeof plug 34. A bottom edge of plug 30 can also be formed as a chamferededge 38 as shown in FIG. 4C which allows this plug to fit inside ofcentral cut out 26 of bottom board 20.

FIG. 5A is a top view of the top board or top layer 40, this view showsthat this top board is substantially rectangular in shape. As shown inFIG. 5B and in FIG. 5C this board is a multi-layer board including a tophousing layer 42, a middle soft shock absorbing foam layer 44 and abottom layer 46 made from a rigid material such as rigid foam. Thisbottom layer 46 can have a substantially flat surface in contact withthe shock absorbing foam layer 44 and wherein the opposite surface canhave a plug 48 extending out therefrom. This plug 48 can be of anydesired shape but is shown here by way of example as a substantiallyrectangular plug having a rib 47 extending around a circumference ofplug 48. This plug can also have a chamfered edge 49 (See FIG. 5C) whichallows plug 49 to easily guide into substantially rectangular cut out 34of middle board 30. Once this plug 48 is being guided into cut out 34,rib 47 forms a secure friction fit so that this plug does not easilypull out from the other board.

FIG. 5B is a front view of the top board shown in FIG. 5A wherein thisview also shows a gap 43 between rigid housing 42 and bottom layer 46.This gap is created by the shock absorbing foam layer 44 extending upinto housing 42 to create a spacing distance between the two rigidlayers. When this top layer 42 or bottom layer 46 is stressed with asudden movement or force, some of the energy associated with thismovement can be absorbed by middle layer 44, causing the two rigidlayers to temporarily compress or move together.

FIG. 6 is a front side view of a first assembly of the device 10. Inthis view, the device is being applied as only two boards with a bottomboard 20 mounting on a deck and with top shock absorbing board 40inserting into bottom board 20. In this case, board 40 has plug 48 whichfits inside of bottom board cut out 26 to form a friction fit connectionvia rib 47. In addition, an additional rib can also be shown whereinthis additional rib is for additional frictional support.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b are side and front views, respectively, of the secondassembly of the device, wherein this assembly view shows the assembly ofthree boards shown in FIGS. 4A-5C wherein bottom board 20 is firstmounted on a deck, middle spacer board 30 is placed on top, and thenfinally top board 40 is mounted on middle spacer board 30. A pluralityof screws 50 with washers 52 are used to mount this base or bottom boardonto a bottom support surface 60 such as a boat floor.

This assembly can occur as follows: first the hook and loopfasteners/fastening system 70 is mounted wherein a first strip 72 isapplied to a boat deck via an adhesive. The opposite strip 74 is thenapplied via an adhesive to the indents 22 and 24 in bottom board 20.Once the strips have been applied, bottom board 20 can be placed ontothe bottom surface or boat deck so that this bottom board can bealigned. Next, for additional optional securing of the device,additional fasteners such as screws 60 can be inserted into countersunkopenings 28 and secured via washers 52. In addition, brackets 80 forsecuring a hold down strap can be guided into recess 27 in bottom board20. Next, once bottom board 20 is secure, middle board 30 is insertedusing plug 34 into opening 26 to secure middle board 30 to bottom board20. Rib 35 is frictionally guided into opening 26 to secure plug 34therein. In addition plug 34 can be easily guided into opening 26 via achamfered edge 38.

Next, top board 40 is inserted into middle board 30. With this insertionplug 48 is inserted into opening 36 such that chamfered edge 49 of plug48 guides plug into opening 36. In addition, friction rib 47 can be usedto secure top board 40 into middle board 30. Once this entire device hasbeen secured down, a strap 90 can be wrapped around all of the boards,to secure these boards together. In addition, this strap can be securedto the base or floor via bracket 80.

In another embodiment FIG. 8A shows a top view of a solid top board madefrom a single solid section of shock absorbing material 42 a. In thiscase the single section of shock absorbing material can be in the formof a rubber, foam, or other type of forgiving material that can be usedto support a user in a shock absorbing manner. This device can also beattached to a bottom board via a plug 48 a which is similar to plug 48.This plug 48 a can then fit inside of a board cut out 26 such that topboard 42 a would then be snugly secured to a bottom board 20.

In addition other optional components may be associated with thisdesign, for example, instead of using a substantially rectangular shapedplug 48 a, there can be another type of system which involves a roundplug which can then conversely fit into a round hole in the base orbottom board cut out. FIG. 9 shows a connection joint that can be formedfrom a ball and socket joint between a top board and a bottom board.Essentially the top board would have the collapsible ball joint and thebottom board would have the open socket.

FIG. 9 shows a cross sectional view of a ball and socket joint 90 whichincludes a shaft 92 which would connect to a top board, a plate 94 whichis coupled to the shaft, a second shaft 96 connected to plate 94 andcontinuous with first shaft 92. There is also a collapsible ball 98which can connect with shaft 96 and then be pressed in to snap intosocket 100. Socket 100 can be coupled to a hole in bottom board 20 andincludes a top plate rim 102 which allows it to be pressed into a holein a bottom board and a flange 106 which allows ball 98 to snap in andto have it frictionally secured into socket 100. In this way, top board40 can be secured to bottom board 20 in an alternative manner.

FIG. 10 discloses a perspective view of another embodiment. In this viewthere is a base 200 which has receiving sections 210, 220, 230, and 240which are formed as indents for receiving extending sections of platformsection 300. In this case, base 200 is formed in a boat deck such thatsurface 201 is sunken into the boat deck.

Extending sections 310, 330, and 340 extend into receiving sections 210,230, and 240 to lock platform 300 laterally in place. A flexible shockabsorbing top cover 400 is mounted on top of platform section 300 andattached thereto via any known attachment element such as for example,via a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive element or sewing. Forexample, hook and loop fastening sections 392, 394, 396 and 398 are usedto adhere to an underside of flexible shock absorbing top cover 400.

Platform 300 can also include electronic components. For example, thereare wires 350 and 352 which are used to electrically connect thisplatform 300 to another source of power such as a boat battery in aknown manner. Alternatively, a battery 354 can be stored inside platform300 and used to power electric components. One optional electriccomponent is a heater disposed in platform 300 in the form of heatingwires 360 which are used to heat the platform and top cover 400 tocreate a heated platform for heating a person's feet when standing onthe boat platform.

In addition, another optional electrical component is a vibrationelement 380 which when turned on, vibrates to create a soothingsensation to a user's feet. Another optional electrical component is alight 370, which extends around an exterior or peripheral region ofplatform 300 such that this light then illuminates platform 300 so thata user can see platform 300 on a non-lighted boat deck.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of this design showing base 200,platform 300 and top mat 400. In this view, receiving sections 230 and240 are shown receiving extending sections 330 and 340. Base 200 isshown sunken into a boat deck 500, such that top cover or mat 400 isshown either level or substantially level with the boat deck.

FIG. 12 shows a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of aplatform device for a boat deck 500 which includes a top platform 510,an optional intermediate height adjusting platform 520, and a base 530.Numerous additional intermediate height adjusting platforms can beincorporated into this embodiment thereby allowing for additional heightadjustment of top platform 510. Top platform includes an optional shockabsorbing mat 511, which can be made of any suitable shock absorbingmaterial such as rubber or in particular neoprene. This mat is optionalso a non shock absorbing top platform can be utilized as well. Otheroptional components include battery 512 disposed in top platform 510,light 514 which serves as a guide light and which is electricallyconnected to battery 512, vibration element 517 which acts as avibrating component to provide therapeutic vibration to a user, and anoptional heater 518. Vibration element 517 and heater are alsoelectrically connected to battery 512. Alternatively, if theseelectrical components such as light 514, vibration element 517 or heater518 are included, the device can also be electrically wired to a boatbattery instead. If a battery is used the battery can either be a nonrechargeable disposable battery or a rechargeable battery with contactsfor allowing for the recharging of the battery.

Intermediate platform 520 is an optional platform wherein one or more ofthese platforms can be used to elevate top platform 510 above base 530.Intermediate platform 520 includes recesses 522 and 523 as well as feet524 and 525 in the form of bumpons wherein these feet are insertableinto recesses 532 and 533 in base 530. In addition, feet or bumpons 515and 516 are insertable into openings 532 or 533 as well, if intermediateplatform 520 is not used.

Base 530 includes an open region 531, and openings or recesses 532 and533 for receiving feet or bumpons. Base 530 is essentially a mat thatcan be placed on a boat deck such as boat deck 11 (See FIG. 2B). Base530 has optional channels 539 which are used as drainage channels fordraining water out from open region 531. Because base 530 serves as amat, it can be placed on a boat deck without screws, thereby restingbetween a helm of a boat and a seat on the boat without any furtheralteration to the boat deck.

In addition, base 530 can be of any shape but in this embodiment isshown as having sloped sides 534 and 535 to provide a wider base region,and also to prevent anyone from stubbing a toe on this base 530.

With this design, as with the above designs, the height adjustability ofthe device allows a person standing between a helm or console unit of aboat and the seat of the boat to have a selectively height adjustablesystem which allows users adjustability so that they can achieve greatervisibility as well as easier positioning for controlling the helm of theboat.

Accordingly, while a few embodiments of the present invention have beenshown and described, it is to be understood that many changes andmodifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A system for supporting a user on a boat deck comprising: a) at leastone base coupled to a recessed region on said boat deck behind a helm ofa boat and disposed between a seat and a console unit on a boat; b) atleast one platform, coupled to said at least one base; and c) at leastone flexible elastic shock absorbing element coupled to said at leastone platform; wherein said at least one base has at least one recessedregion, and said at least one platform has at least one extendingsection, wherein when said at least one platform is coupled to said atleast one base, said at least one extending section extends into said atleast one recessed region of said base, and such that said at least oneplatform is stacked upon said base to support a user on said boat deckto provide a support for a user positioned adjacent to the helm of aboat to allow a user to stand and operate at the helm of a boat.
 2. Thesystem as in claim 1, further comprising at least one intermediatestacking element for stacking on top of said at least one base, whereinsaid at least one platform is stackable on top of said at least oneintermediate stacking element.
 3. The system as in claim 1, wherein saidat least one platform is made from a substantially rigid housing that ismade from a composite foam material.
 4. The system as in claim 2,wherein said at least one intermediate stacking platform has at leastone recessed region, and said at least one intermediate stackingplatform has at least one extending section, wherein said at least oneextending section extends into said at least one recessed region of saidbase.
 5. The system as in claim 1, wherein said at least one platformfurther comprises a non-skid surface disposed on a top surface of saidat least one platform.
 6. The system as in claim 1, further comprisingat least one heater disposed in said platform.
 7. The system as in claim6, further comprising at least one battery disposed in said platform. 8.The system as in claim 1, further comprising at least one light coupledto said platform.
 9. The system as in claim 1, further comprising atleast one vibrating element coupled to said platform.
 10. The system asin claim 1, further comprising at least one flange coupled to saidplatform for covering at least one section of said boat deck.
 11. Asystem for supporting a user on a boat deck comprising: a) at least onebase coupled to said boat deck behind a helm of a boat and disposedbetween a seat and a console unit on a boat; and b) at least oneplatform, coupled to said at least one base; wherein when said at leastone platform is coupled to said at least one base, wherein said at leastone platform is stacked upon said base to support a user on said boatdeck to provide a support for a user positioned adjacent to the helm ofa boat to allow a user to stand and operate at the helm of a boat. 12.The system as in claim 11, further comprising at least one intermediatestacking element for stacking on top of said at least one base, whereinsaid at least one platform is stackable on top of said at least oneintermediate stacking element.
 13. The system as in claim 11, whereinsaid at least one platform is made from a substantially rigid housingthat is made from a composite foam material.
 14. The system as in claim12, wherein said at least one intermediate stacking platform has atleast one recessed region, and said at least one intermediate stackingplatform has at least one extending section, wherein said at least oneextending section extends into said at least one recessed region of saidbase.
 15. The system as in claim 11, wherein said at least one platformfurther comprises a non-skid surface disposed on a top surface of saidat least one platform.
 16. The system as in claim 11, further comprisingat least one heater disposed in said platform.
 17. The system as inclaim 16, further comprising at least one battery disposed in saidplatform.
 18. The system as in claim 11, further comprising at least onelight coupled to said platform.
 19. The system as in claim 11, furthercomprising at least one vibrating element coupled to said platform. 20.A system for supporting a user on a boat deck comprising: a) at leastone base disposed on the boat deck between a seat and a console unit ona boat, said base having a top receiving surface; and b) at least oneplatform, positioned on said at least one base, said at least oneplatform having a top surface, positioned above said top receivingsurface on said base; wherein said at least one platform provides heightadjustability for a user above a boat deck.